Sarasin & Partners LLP Takes Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Sarasin & Partners LLP has acquired a new stake of 559,328 shares in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., valued at approximately $122.29 million, representing around 0.11% of the company's total shares.
• Several large investors, including Stokes Capital Advisors LLC and Fiduciary Alliance LLC, have recently increased their holdings in Marsh & McLennan, indicating strong institutional interest in the company.
• Analysts have adjusted their price targets for Marsh & McLennan, with Barclays lowering its target from $249 to $233, while the company maintains a consensus rating of "Hold" with a price target of $238.76.

Sarasin & Partners LLP bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 559,328 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $122,291,000. Sarasin & Partners LLP owned about 0.11% of Marsh & McLennan Companies at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MMC. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Knuff & Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Activest Wealth Management increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2,775.0% in the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 115 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total transaction of $4,334,896.35. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 87,681 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,031,597.65. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:MMC traded up $0.67 during trading on Friday, hitting $196.82. 3,617,654 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,944,385. The stock has a market capitalization of $96.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.60, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $195.01 and a 12-month high of $248.00. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $205.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $219.08.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.66 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.92 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.41 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be paid a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 2nd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is currently 43.17%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 target price on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 21st. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 7th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $238.76.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services.